Remote control electronic toy and teaching aid

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is a toy like system using snap together parts and modules that easily demonstrates the principles required in making a remote controlled vehicle. The system comprises a wireless microphone comprising a touch tone key pad for transmission of both speech and touch tones; a mounting base that allows attachment of modules on both upper and lower faces; a reusable electronic module that contains a touch tone decoder circuit and has means for attaching to other electronic modules; and a reusable electronic module that contains motor driving and steering circuits and has means for attaching to other electronic modules. Thus, the present invention discloses a system comprising a base member with base-attachable modules, which together function to allow for the construction of a remote controlled vehicle using standard touch tone frequencies.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to devices used with circuitsthat may be easily and quickly connected together or assembled. Moreparticularly, the present invention relates to circuits that may beconstructed by children or students learning the underlying principlesof electronics as incorporated into remote control vehicles and thelike.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Quick connect electronic toys currently available typically consist of abox of electronic devices mounted to quick connect modules. Diagrams forhundreds of circuits are included to educate a student or entertain achild. When these circuits are assembled, the child or student canlisten to a radio station, send a flying saucer on a mission, or createand store sounds to name just a few. Further, there are educational toysthat require use of a mechanical connector, which connector enablesusers to quickly and easily assemble electronic circuits. Many of thesecircuits may then also be used to amuse a child and/or teach somemechanical or electronic principle.

Notably, during the construction of remote control vehicles a skill suchas soldering is also often required to assemble the components. It is onobject of this invention to minimize the assembly requirements while atthe same time enhancing the educational benefits of the invention. Bycooperatively associating touch tones with the wireless microphone theuser can harness the use of vocal frequencies or voice transmissionsalong with touch tone frequencies to control the motion of theinvention. Since decoding and motor controls are handled by easy toconnect modules, assembly is quick and simple.

Remote control toys that exist on the market today are oftenpreassembled and require no more than insertion of batteries beforeoperation. There is very little, if anything, being taught on how thetoy functions. Thus, it is a further object of this invention to utilizequick connect modules in combination with additional quick connectmodules to construct an educational, remote controlled toy. Theeducational, remote controlled toy, through its assembly and operation,man effectively function to teach the user how the controls operate andother underlying mechanical and electronic principles.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To achieve these and other readily apparent objectives, the presentinvention provides a remote control electronic toy and teaching aidcomprising a touch tone decoder module, a wireless FM microphone withtouch tone generator, a motor and steering module, and an inventive basecapable of mounting components on both a top surface and a bottomsurface.

The new base of the present invention provides for electrical current topass from the top face of the base to the bottom face of the base. Inthis way the motor and steering module or modules attached to the bottomface of the base may be controlled from the snap together circuits onthe top face of the base. At the same time the new base provides formechanical means of attachment between the base platform and the motorand steering module or modules. Further, the present invention providesa novel module designed to decode the standard touch tone frequenciesand provide up to 16 digital output combinations depending on thecombination of the tones transmitted. This feature allows 15 differentfunctions on the remote vehicle and an off position when all outputs arezero. This module requires only a single audio input that may be drivenby the output of an FM radio, cellular telephone, cordless telephone, amemory circuit, or any other device that can receive or can reproducethe standard touch tone frequencies.

An additional novel module is provided to process the output of thetouch tone decoder and provide appropriate power to the driving motorand/or the steering mechanism. This module also reverses the output ofthe voltage polarities to provide for reverse direction or turning inthe opposite direction when the output of the touch tone decoderindicates these are the desired commands.

A further component of the present invention is a wireless microphonethat contains a touch tone keypad to allow the transmission of speechand touch tone frequencies. The microphone may be tuned to any allowedradio frequency to match the receiver module on the remote unit. In oneembodiment an FM radio receiver is utilized and an FM wirelessmicrophone with crystal controlled frequency in the FM band provides thetransmission of both voice and touch tone frequency. A standard touchtone keypad is designed into the microphone to allow up to 12 differenttone combinations. It is contemplated that the receiver could be acellular phone with auto answering and a special earphone connector toelectronically connect the output of the phone to the decoder. If thecellular phone is equipped with a camera, visual feedback of thevehicular environment is possible from distances limited only by thecellular phone capability. Since all cellular phones produce touch tonefrequencies, a user could also control the remote control vehicle fromthe calling phone and view the remote vehicular environment if theuser's phone is so equipped.

Other objects of the present invention, as well as particular features,elements, and advantages thereof, will be elucidated in, or apparentfrom, the following description and the accompanying drawing figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other features of my invention will become more evident from aconsideration of the following brief description of patent drawings, asfollows:

FIG. 1 fragmentary perspective view of a motor and steering module 100with parts broken away to show a battery compartment 103, a motor 105and steering mechanism 110.

FIG. 2 is an electrical schematic of electronic components enclosed inthe motor and steering module 100.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an insulative base panel 300.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of a motor control module 400with parts broken away to show spaced connectors 410-414 and a circuitboard 450.

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of motor control module 400,insulative base 300, and motor and steering module 100.

FIG. 6 is an electrical schematic of the electronic components enclosedin control module 400.

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary exploded perspective view of a power sourcemodule assembly showing a power source module 700 designed to hold one 9volt battery 750.

FIG. 8 is an electrical schematic of the electronic components enclosedin the power source module 700.

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary perspective view of a touch tone decoder module900 with parts removed to show a binary output 911 and an electroniccircuit board 925.

FIG. 10 is an electrical schematic of the electronic components enclosedin the touch tone decoder module 900.

FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of touch tone decoder module900, power source module 700, motor control module 400, insulative base300, motor and steering module 100 and various other snap togethercomponents 10-20.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram of the preferred embodiment of the remotecontrol electronic toy and teaching aid of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a plan view of a hand held wireless microphone 200 with astandard telephone type keypad 205 that generates the standard touchtone frequencies.

FIG. 14 is an electrical schematic of the electronic components enclosedin the wireless microphone 200.

FIG. 15 is a table outlining sixteen (16) possible inputs to the controlmodule 400 and the outputs related to each input.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring more particularly to the drawings, the preferred embodiment ofthe present invention generally concerns a remote control electronic toyand teaching aid 1 as generally referenced in block diagram form in FIG.12. Remote control electronic toy and teaching aid 1 generally comprisesan improved mounting base member or base panel 300, a motor and steeringmodule 100, a motor control module 400, a wireless microphone with touchtone keypad 200, a touchtone decoder module 900, a new power sourcemodule 700, and other existing modules and components 10-19. By properassembly of these components as shown in FIG. 11, a remote controlledtoy vehicle can be constructed.

As earlier noted, FIG. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of a motorand steering module 100 with parts broken away to show a batterycompartment 103, a motor 105 and steering mechanism 110. Motor andsteering module 100 provides forward and reverse motion along withsteering capability. This module 100 also contains a battery compartment103 to power both the motor 105 and the steering mechanism 110. DCvoltage output terminal for B+ 115 is connected for safety protectionthrough a PTC resetable fuse 125 to the plus 6V terminal of the battery130. DC voltage output 120 is connected directly to the minus 6Vterminal 135 of the battery. The first Motor Connector input 140 isconnected to inductor 145 which is connected to capacitor 148 and motorlead 150 to eliminate as much radiation from the DC motor 105 aspossible. The other Motor Connector input 141 is connected to inductor146 which is connected to capacitor 149 and motor lead 151 to eliminateas much radiation from the DC motor 105 as possible. The SteeringConnector inputs 160 and 161 are connected directly to the steeringmotor 110. By various connections of the battery output connectors 115,120 to the motor connectors 140, 141 and steering connectors 160, 161the motor and steering module 100 may be driven forward or backward andmade to turn to the left or to the right.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of insulative base panel 300 preferablyconstructed of an insulating material such as plastic. On one side ofthis base panel 300 there exists an array of posts 305 that are spacedto accept attachment of modules containing electronic parts or circuits.Also on this base panel 300 there is an arrangement of connectors310-315 that allow for connection to a module on the non-post side ofthe panel. These connectors 310-315 are conductive through the basepanel 300 in such a manner that electrical current and voltages may passfrom the top of the base panel 300 to the bottom of the base panel 300.These conductive connectors 310-315 are also arranged to directly matewith the connectors located on the motor and steering module 100.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of motor control module 400with parts broken away to show spaced connectors 410-414 and a circuitboard 450. Motor control module 400 is designed for attachment toconductive connectors 310-314 on base panel 300. The motor controloutputs 410, 411 are designed to provide an electrical connectiondirectly to the base panel connectors 310, 311 respectively. One (1)steering control output 414 is designed to provide an electricalconnection directly to the base panel connector 314 the other steeringcontrol output 415 is connected to the steering motor input 315 by usingan external jumper wire. The power inputs 412, 413 are designed toprovide an electrical connection directly to the base panel connectors312, 313 respectively. The control module has four (4) binary inputs420-423 to set the state of the outputs. The input to outputrelationship is further illustrated in FIG. 5. This relationship is setby the electronic circuit board 450 that contains electronic componentssuch as, but not limited to, transistors 451 and resistors 452.

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary exploded perspective view of a power sourcemodule assembly showing a power source module 700 designed to hold one 9volt battery 750. The module has a positive terminal and a negativeterminal that are designed to connect to a standard 9 volt battery 750.The positive terminal is used to drive a 5 volt regulator integratedcircuit 705. The power source module has a positive 5 volt outputconnector and a zero volt output connector.

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary perspective view of a touch tone decoder module900 with parts removed to show one of several binary outputs (asreferenced at 911) and an electronic circuit board 925. The touch tonedecoder module 900 preferably comprises one audio input 905 and fourbinary outputs 910-913. Power is supplied to the internal circuitthrough the plus 5 volt input connector 920 and the ground or zero voltinput connector 921. The touch tone decoder module 900 preferablyfurther contains an electronic circuit board 925 with electroniccomponents such as, but not limited to, transistors 930 and resistors931.

FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of touch tone decoder module900, power source module 700, motor control module 400, insulative base300, motor and steering module 100 and various other snap togethercomponents 10-20.

Thus, it will be understood that when the motor and steering module 100is properly attached to the lower face of the base panel 300, the basepanel connectors 310, 311 provide electrical feed through the base panel300 to the motor input connectors 140, 141 located on the motor andsteering module 100. In this manner the motor control outputs 410, 411on the motor control module connect through the base panel conductiveconnectors 310, 311 to the motor input connectors 140, 141 and providecontrol of forward, reverse, or stop to the DC motor 105. In a similarmanner the steering control output 414 connects to the steeringmechanism input 161 via the base panel connector 314. The other steeringmechanism input 160 is connected through the base panel connector 313 toa jumper lead 19. The other end of this jumper lead 19 is then connectedto the steering control output 415. In this manner the steering controloutputs 414, 415 connect to the steering input connectors 161, 160respectively, and provide control of turning right, turning left, orgoing straight. Power is supplied to the control module 400 throughconnectors 412, 413 via the male part of base connectors 312, 313 on thebase panel top face. Base panel female connectors 312, 313 on the basepanel bottom face, mate with the male connectors 120, 115 respectivelyon the motor and steering module 100. A thermal fuse 125, shown in FIGS.1 and 2, limits current from the battery holder 103 and providesprotection to external circuits, including but not limited to thecontrol module 400.

After insertion of batteries into the motor and steering module 100 andassembly of modules 100, 300, and 400 as shown in FIG. 5, Table 1 (aspresented in FIG. 15) can be determined. By adjusting the voltage at thecontrol module input connectors 420-423 between zero volts as a binary 0and 5 volts as a binary 1, the function column in Table 1 can beverified. The duplicated functions shown in Table 1 could be used toperform different operations on future assemblies without loss ofcontrol functions. As can be seen from an inspection of Table 1, the toyvehicle assembled as shown in FIG. 5 is capable of turning left or rightwithout movement. It can also go straight forward, forward to the left,forward to the right, straight in reverse, reverse to the left, orreverse to the right. The particular function only depends on the stateof the input connectors 420-423 which eventually drives the motor andsteering module 100.

FIG. 6 shows an electronic circuit that will accomplish the requirementsas detailed in Table 1. All the transistors are used as switches thatare either conducting, “On”, or not conducting, “Off”. When inputconnector 420 is at a binary 0, Transistor Q3 is Off. Since no currentflows through transistor Q3, transistors Q10 and Q13 are also Off. Ifinput connector 420 is at a binary 1, Transistor Q3 is On. Since currentflows through transistor Q3, transistors Q10 and Q13 are also switchedOn. This allows current to flow from B+ at connector 413, throughtransistor Q13 and out to steering motor through connector 415. Thissame current returning from the steering motor enters the motor controlmodule 400 through connector 414 and passes through transistor Q10 tothe ground connector 412 and back to the battery. This process forcesthe wheels to turn to the left.

When input connector 421 is at a binary 0, Transistors Q9 and Q14 areOff. Since no current flows through transistor Q9, transistors Q11 andQ12 are also Off. Since transistor Q14 is Off the input at connector 420is not affected. If input connector 420 is at a binary 1, TransistorTransistors Q9 and Q14 are On. Since current flows through transistorQ9, transistors Q11 and Q12 are also switched On. This allows current toflow from B+ at connector 413, through transistor Q11 and out tosteering motor through connector 414. This same current returning fromthe steering motor enters the motor control module 400 through connector415 and passes through transistor Q12 to the ground connector 412 andback to the battery. This process forces the wheels to turn to the rightbecause the current through the motor has been reversed from theprevious process. When Q14 is on it forces transistor Q3 to be Off andthe state of the binary input at connector 420 has no affect. Therefore,when both connectors 420 and 421 are at a binary state 1, the wheelswill turn to the right.

Since the motor control uses the same circuitry as the steering motorcontrol, the operation of the remaining transistors in FIG. 6 isidentical. The touch tone decoder module 900, shown in FIG. 9, accepts asingle touch tone input signal through connector 905 and converts thatsignal to a weighted binary code on the output connectors 910-913. Forexample, if a touch tone frequency corresponding to a 7 on a touch tonekey pad is received at input connector 905, the output connectors 910,911, and 912 would be a binary 1 with connector 913 at a binary zero.FIG. 10 shows that output 910 corresponds to a decimal weight of 1,output 911 corresponds to a decimal weight of 2, output 912 correspondsto a decimal weight of 4, and output 913 corresponds to a decimal weightof 8. Since 910, 911, and 912 are true, at a binary 1 state, the numberdecoded is equal to the decimal number 1+2+4 or 7, the touch tone numberthat was received at the input. This can also be seen in the eighth rowof Table 1 where the Key number is 7. This process is used to convertall the touch tone frequencies that exist on a normal telephone to a 4bit binary number. This binary number is used to control the motor andsteering module 100.

When all the modules are assembled as generally shown in FIG. 11, a toysize moving vehicle is constructed. This moving vehicle uses a FMreceiver 10 to receive the touch tones and voice from a wirelessmicrophone 200 similar to the one shown in FIG. 13. The signals from theFM receiver are adjusted in amplitude by a loudness control 12 and thenamplified by an electronic amplifier 13. The modules 10, 13, and 900receive their power from an isolated power source module 700 to removeall motor noise and undesired spurious responses. The power sourcemodule 700 uses connectors 715 and 710 to make connection with theterminals on a standard 9 volt battery 750. A 5 volt regulatingintegrated circuit 705 inside the power supply module 700 reduces thevoltage to 5 volts and protects the battery 750 from excessive currentor shorts between power supply module connectors 720 and 725. A switch730 is attached to power supply module 700 to allow user to turn thepower off. The amplified audio from the amplifier 13 drives both thetouch tone decoder module 900 and a speaker 11. Thus voice transmissionsand touch tone frequencies are converted into audible sound. A capacitor15 is added for filtering power and a Light Emitting Diode 14 toindicate when power is on. All these modules and components areelectronically connected by using conductive strips 16, conductivespacers 17, and jumper wires 18.

Once assembled and batteries are installed, the toy vehicle with FMradio module 10 can receive normal FM broadcast, or transmissions from awireless microphone 200. When pressed the key pad 205 on the wirelessmicrophone 200 transmits frequency modulated touch tone frequencies inthe standard FM broadcast band of 88 MHz to 108 Mhz. To transmit voicethe user speaks into the microphone hole 240 located on the wirelessmicrophone. In this way the FM modulated transmissions from the wirelessmicrophone antenna 210 can carry music, voice, or touch tones to the FMreceiver. A power indictor light 215 and a switch 230 are used for poweron/off control. Another switch 220 is used to switch the carrierfrequency to prevent interference when transmitting in proximity ofanother wireless microphone. A schematic for a wireless microphone thatcan transmit voice and transmit touch tone frequencies is shown in FIG.14.

Thus it will be understood that here disclosed is a quick connect toyvehicle or electronic circuit system, which comprises, in combination aplurality of interconnectable electronic components, a base member, anda plurality of modules. The electronic components are interconnectablefor forming electronic circuitry. The base member is preferablysubstantially planar and thus comprises a first base face, a second baseface, and a plurality of snap-fitting, module-receiving connectormembers. The snap-fitting, module-receiving connector members eachpreferably comprise a male module-receiving portion, which portionsextend outwardly (preferably orthogonally) from the first base face. Thesnap-fitting module-receiving connector members comprise at least oneconductive male connector in electrical communication with a conductivefemale connector member, which conductive female connector memberextends outwardly (preferably orthogonally) from the second base faceopposite the conductive male connector.

Each module preferably comprises a substantially planar interfaceportion and a plurality of snap-fitting module connector members. Theinterface portion comprises a first module face and a second moduleface, and the snap-fitting module connector members each comprise afemale connector portion and a male connector portion. The femaleconnector portions are preferably in electrical communication with themale connector portions and extend outwardly from the first module face.The male connector portions extend outwardly from the second moduleface. The female connector portions of at least one first module arethus cooperatively associated with the male module-receiving portions tosnap-fittingly receive and matingly engage the male module-receivingportions to releasably secure, interlockingly couple and mechanicallyattach the particular module to the base member. The female connectorportions of at least one second module are cooperatively associated withmale connector portions of the first module to snap-fittingly receiveand matingly engage the male connector portions to releasably secure,interlockingly couple, mechanically attach and electronically connectthe first and second modules to one another.

At least one third module comprises roller means for movement and iscooperatively associated with the female connector member of the basemember to snap-fittingly receive and matingly engage the femaleconnector member to releasably secure, interlockingly couple,mechanically attach and electronically connect the third module to thebase member.

Notably, the base member, the interface portion, and a plurality of malemodule-receiving connector members are constructed from electricallynon-conductive material, which material may be selected from the groupconsisting of plastic, wood, paperboard, cardboard, and rubber. Offurther importance is that the base member may comprise a foraminousportion with a matrix of openings therein. It is contemplated that theroller means for movement may preferably be defined by an axle assembly,the axle assembly comprising at least one axle member, each axle memberhaving a pair of rotatable wheels cooperatively associated therewith.

The third module may preferably comprise at least one DC motor securelymounted to the third module. The DC motor is designed to mechanicallyoperate the third module via a first select mechanical connection, thefirst select mechanical connection being selected from the groupconsisting of a direct connection and a geared ratio connection.

The snap-fitting module-receiving connector members may comprise morethan one or a plurality of conductive male connectors, each being inelectrical communication with a female connector member (each femaleconnector member extending outwardly from the second base face oppositea conductive male connector). The quick connect toy may further comprisea solenoid comprising at least one male solenoid connector member. Themale solenoid connector member is cooperatively associated with at leastone female connector member to snap-fittingly receive and matinglyengage the female connector member to releasably secure, interlockinglycouple, mechanically attach and electronically connect the solenoid tothe base member.

Further, the third module may comprise electronic steering means forsteering the roller means for movement. The electronic steering meansare enabled via a second select mechanical connection, which secondselect mechanical connection may be selected from the group consistingof a direct mechanical connection, a geared ratio connection, and asolenoid connection.

As earlier specified, the snap-fitting, module-receiving connectormembers and the snap-fitting module connector members comprise selectmetal male connector structure and select metal female connectorstructure, the select metal male connector structure selected from thegroup consisting of snaps, pegs, pins, posts, pedestals, and plugs; theselect metal female connector structure being selected from the groupconsisting of sockets, receptacles, grommets, rings, and tubes. Further,at least one module may preferably comprise electronic voltage reversalmeans for reversing motor voltage and steering voltage. The electronicvoltage reversal means preferably comprises snap-fitting means (such asthe select male connector structure and select female connectorstructure), which snap-fitting means are cooperatively associated with aselect toy structure to snap-fittingly receive and matingly engage theselect toy structure to releasably secure, interlockingly couple,mechanically attach and electronically connect the electronic voltagereversal means to the select toy structure. The select toy structure maybe selected from the group consisting of the base member and at leastone module.

While the above description contains much specificity, this specificityshould not be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention,but rather as an exemplification of the invention. For example, it iscontemplated that the principles of the present invention may be easilyincorporated into various applications other than remote control toys.More particularly, it is contemplated that the principles may beincorporated into the design of broader based remote control machinerysuch as robots and the like so that students of electrical circuitry andthe like may graduate into more involved developments. Further, it iscontemplated that a remote control toy system is disclosed, which remotecontrol toy system comprises a remotely controllable toy and touch tonetransmitting means, the remotely controllable toy comprising a pluralityof remotely controllable movable portions, frequency receiving means,frequency decoding means, electronic circuitry and power source means.The movable portions are remotely controllable via a plurality ofuser-selected touch tone frequencies, each touch tone frequency forcontrolling at least one movable portion and being remotelytransmittable to and receivable by the frequency receiving means. Thefrequency decoding means are operably connected to the frequencyreceiving means, the movable portions, and the power source means viathe electronic circuitry for controlling the movable portions. It iscontemplated that the touch tone frequencies are standardtelephonic-type touch tone frequencies.

As has been earlier described, it is preferred that the remotelycontrollable movable portions, frequency receiving means, frequencydecoding means, electronic circuitry and power source means are housedwithin modules, the modules comprising snap-fitting, module-receivingconnector members and snap-fitting module connector members, theconnector members for snap-fittingly receiving and matingly engagingadjacent modules to one another to releasably secure, interlockinglycouple, mechanically attach and electronically connect adjacent modules.The modules preferably mount to a base member and are electronicallyconnected to one another to form a movable and steerable vehicle, themovable and steerable vehicle being remotely movable and steerable bythe touch tone frequencies, which emanate from the touch tonetransmitting means. The touch tone transmitting means may be defined bya wireless microphone, the wireless microphone comprising an oscillatorand a microphone, the oscillator for frequency modulating a selectsignal, the select signal being selected from within the standardcommercial FM band of 88 megahertz to 108 megahertz, the microphonecomprising a key pad, the key pad for generating at least one standardtelephonic touch tone pair of frequencies.

Accordingly, although the invention has been described by reference to apreferred embodiment, and two alterative embodiments, it is not intendedthat the novel assembly or apparatus be limited thereby, but thatmodifications thereof are intended to be included as falling within thebroad scope and spirit of the foregoing disclosure, the following claimsand the appended drawings.

1. A quick connect toy vehicle, the quick connect toy vehiclecomprising, in combination: a plurality of interconnectable electroniccomponents, the interconnectable electronic components for formingelectronic circuitry; a substantially planar base member, the basemember comprising a first base face, a second base face, and a pluralityof snap-fitting, module-receiving connector members, the snap-fitting,module-receiving connector members each comprising a malemodule-receiving portion, the male module-receiving portions extendingoutwardly from the first base face, the snap-fitting module-receivingconnector members comprising at least one conductive male connector, theconductive male connector being in electrical communication with aconductive female connector member, the conductive female connectormember extending outwardly from the second base face opposite theconductive male connector; and a plurality of modules, each modulecomprising a substantially planar interface portion and a plurality ofsnap-fitting module connector members, the interface portion comprisinga first module face and a second module face, the snap-fitting moduleconnector members each comprising a female connector portion and a maleconnector portion, the female connector portions being in electricalcommunication with the male connector portions, the female connectorportions extending outwardly from the first module face, the maleconnector portions extending outwardly from the second module face, thefemale connector portions of at least one first module beingcooperatively associated with the male module-receiving portions tosnap-fittingly receive and matingly engage the male module-receivingportions to releasably secure, interlockingly couple and mechanicallyattach the module to the base member, the female connector portions ofat least one second module being cooperatively associated with maleconnector portions of the first module to snap-fittingly receive andmatingly engage the male connector portions to releasably secure,interlockingly couple, mechanically attach and electronically connectthe first and second modules to one another, at least one third module,the third module comprising roller means for movement, the third modulebeing cooperatively associated with the female connector member tosnap-fittingly receive and matingly engage the female connector memberto releasably secure, interlockingly couple, mechanically attach andelectronically connect the third module to the base member.
 2. The quickconnect toy vehicle of claim 1 wherein the base member, the interfaceportion, and a plurality of male module-receiving connector members areconstructed from electrically non-conductive material.
 3. The quickconnect toy vehicle of claim 2 wherein the non-conductive material isselected from the group consisting of plastic, wood, paperboard,cardboard, and rubber, the base member comprising a foraminous portionwith a matrix of openings therein.
 4. The quick connect toy vehicle ofclaim 1 wherein the roller means for movement is defined by an axleassembly, the axle assembly comprising at least one axle member, eachaxle member having a pair of rotatable wheels cooperatively associatedtherewith.
 5. The quick connect toy vehicle of claim 1 wherein the thirdmodule comprises at least one DC motor, the DC motor being securelymounted to the third module.
 6. The quick connect toy vehicle of claim 5wherein the DC motor mechanically operates the third module via a firstselect mechanical connection, the first select mechanical connectionbeing selected from the group consisting of a direct connection and ageared ratio connection.
 7. The quick connect toy vehicle of claim 1wherein the snap-fitting module-receiving connector members comprises aplurality of conductive male connectors, the conductive male connectorseach being in electrical communication with a female connector member,the female connector members extending outwardly from the second baseface opposite the conductive male connectors, the quick connect toycomprising a solenoid, the solenoid comprising at least one malesolenoid connector member, the male solenoid connector member beingcooperatively associated with at least one female connector member tosnap-fittingly receive and matingly engage the female connector memberto releasably secure, interlockingly couple, mechanically attach andelectronically connect the solenoid to the base member.
 8. The quickconnect toy vehicle of claim 7 wherein the third module compriseselectronic steering means, the electronic steering means for steeringthe roller means for movement, the electronic steering means enabled viaa second select mechanical connection, the second select mechanicalconnection being selected from the group consisting of a directmechanical connection, a geared ratio connection, and a solenoidconnection.
 9. The quick connect toy vehicle of claim 1 wherein thesnap-fitting, module-receiving connector members and the snap-fittingmodule connector members comprise select metal male connector structureand select metal female connector structure, the select metal maleconnector structure selected from the group consisting of snaps, pegs,pins, posts, pedestals, and plugs; the select metal female connectorstructure being selected from the group consisting of sockets,receptacles, grommets, rings, and tubes.
 10. The quick connect toyvehicle of claim 1 wherein at least one module comprises electronicvoltage reversal means, the electronic voltage reversal means forreversing motor voltage and steering voltage, the electronic voltagereversal means comprising snap-fitting means, the snap-fitting meansbeing cooperatively associated with a select toy structure tosnap-fittingly receive and matingly engage the select toy structure toreleasably secure, interlockingly couple, mechanically attach andelectronically connect the electronic voltage reversal means to theselect toy structure, the select toy structure being selected from thegroup consisting of the base member and at least one module.
 11. A quickconnect electronic circuit system, the quick connect electronic circuitsystem comprising, in combination: a plurality of interconnectableelectronic components, the interconnectable electronic components forforming an electronic circuit; a base member, the base member comprisinga first base face, a second base face, and a plurality of snap-fitting,module-receiving connector members, the snap-fitting, module-receivingconnector members each comprising a male module-receiving portion, themale module-receiving portions extending outwardly from the first baseface, the snap-fitting module-receiving connector members comprising atleast one conductive male connector, the conductive male connector beingin electrical communication with a female connector member, the femaleconnector extending outwardly from the second base face opposite theconductive male connector; and a plurality of modules, each modulecomprising a substantially planar interface portion and a plurality ofsnap-fitting module connector members, the interface portion comprisinga first module face and a second module face, the snap-fitting moduleconnector members each comprising a female connector portion and a maleconnector portion, the female connector portions being in electricalcommunication with the male connector portions, the female connectorportions extending outwardly from the first module face, the maleconnector portions extending outwardly from the second module face, thefemale connector portions of at least one first module beingcooperatively associated with the male module-receiving portions tosnap-fittingly receive and matingly engage the male module-receivingportions to releasably secure, interlockingly couple and mechanicallyattach the module to the base member, the female connector portions ofat least one second module being cooperatively associated with maleconnector portions of the first module to snap-fittingly receive andmatingly engage the male connector portions to releasably secure,interlockingly couple, mechanically attach and electronically connectthe first and second modules to one another, at least one third module,the third module comprising a decoding circuit, the decoding circuit fordecoding standard touch tone frequencies to provide a binary output, thebinary output correspondingly relating to a touch tone frequency pair,the touch tone frequency pair being present at a module input connector,the electronic components being in electrical communication with aplurality of select connector members, the select connector membersbeing selected from the group consisting of the module-receivingconnector members and the module connector members.
 12. A wirelessmicrophone, the wireless microphone comprising an oscillator and amicrophone, the oscillator for frequency modulating a select signal, theselect signal being selected from within the standard commercial FM bandof 88 megahertz to 108 megahertz, the microphone comprising a key pad,the key pad for generating at least one standard telephonic touch tonepair of frequencies.
 13. A quick connect electronic circuit system, thequick connect electronic system comprising, in combination: a pluralityof interconnectable electronic components, the interconnectableelectronic components for forming an electronic circuit; a base member,the base member comprising a first base face, a second base face, and aplurality of snap-fitting, module-receiving connector members, thesnap-fitting, module-receiving connector members each comprising a malemodule-receiving portion, the male module-receiving portions extendingoutwardly from the first base face, the snap-fitting module-receivingconnector members comprising at least one conductive male connector, theconductive male connector being in electrical communication with afemale connector member, the female connector extending outwardly fromthe second base face opposite the conductive male connector; and aplurality of modules, each module comprising a substantially planarinterface portion and a plurality of snap-fitting module connectormembers, the interface portion comprising a first module face and asecond module face, the snap-fitting module connector members eachcomprising a female connector portion and a male connector portion, thefemale connector portions being in electrical communication with themale connector portions, the female connector portions extendingoutwardly from the first module face, the male connector portionsextending outwardly from the second module face, the female connectorportions of at least one first module being cooperatively associatedwith the male module-receiving portions to snap-fittingly receive andmatingly engage the male module-receiving portions to releasably secure,interlockingly couple and mechanically attach the module to the basemember, the female connector portions of at least one second modulebeing cooperatively associated with male connector portions of the firstmodule to snap-fittingly receive and matingly engage the male connectorportions to releasably secure, interlockingly couple, mechanicallyattach and electronically connect the first and second modules to oneanother, the modules thus being mounted on the base member andelectronically connected to one another to form a movable and steerablevehicle, the movable and steerable vehicle being remotely movable andsteerable by touch tone frequency signals, the touch tone frequencysignals emanating from remotely located touch tone transmitting means.14. The quick connect electronic circuit system of claim 13 wherein thetouch tone transmitting means is defined by a wireless microphone, thewireless microphone comprising an oscillator and a microphone, theoscillator for frequency modulating a select signal, the select signalbeing selected from within the standard commercial FM band of 88megahertz to 108 megahertz, the microphone comprising a key pad, the keypad for generating at least one standard telephonic touch tone pair offrequencies.
 15. The quick connect electronic circuit system of claim 13wherein the base member, the interface portion, and a plurality of malemodule-receiving connector members are constructed from electricallynon-conductive material.
 16. The quick connect electronic circuit systemof claim 13 wherein at least one module comprises electronic voltagereversal means, the electronic voltage reversal means for reversingmotor voltage and steering voltage, the electronic voltage reversalmeans comprising snap-fitting means, the snap-fitting means beingcooperatively associated with a select toy structure to snap-fittinglyreceive and matingly engage the select toy structure to releasablysecure, interlockingly couple, mechanically attach and electronicallyconnect the electronic voltage reversal means to the select circuitstructure, the select circuit structure being selected from the groupconsisting of the base member and at least one module.
 17. A remotecontrol toy system, the remote control toy system comprising a remotelycontrollable toy and touch tone transmitting means, the remotelycontrollable toy comprising a plurality of remotely controllable movableportions, frequency receiving means, frequency decoding means,electronic circuitry and power source means, the movable portions beingremotely controllable via a plurality of user-selected touch tonefrequencies, each touch tone frequency for controlling at least onemovable portion, the touch tone frequencies being remotely transmittableto and receivable by the frequency receiving means, the frequencydecoding means operably connected to the frequency receiving means, themovable portions, and the power source means via the electroniccircuitry for controlling the movable portions.
 18. The remote controltoy system of claim 17 wherein the touch tone frequencies are standardtelephonic touch tone frequencies.
 19. The remote control toy system ofclaim 18 wherein the remotely controllable movable portions, frequencyreceiving means, frequency decoding means, electronic circuitry andpower source means are housed within modules, the modules comprisingsnap-fitting, module-receiving connector members and snap-fitting moduleconnector members, the connector members for snap-fittingly receivingand matingly engaging adjacent modules to one another to releasablysecure, interlockingly couple, mechanically attach and electronicallyconnect adjacent modules.
 20. The remote control toy system of claim 19wherein the modules are mounted on a base member and electronicallyconnected to one another to form a movable and steerable vehicle, themovable and steerable vehicle being remotely movable and steerable bythe touch tone frequencies, the touch tone frequencies emanating fromthe touch tone transmitting means.
 21. The remote control toy system ofclaim 20 wherein the touch tone transmitting means is defined by awireless microphone, the wireless microphone comprising an oscillatorand a microphone, the oscillator for frequency modulating a selectsignal, the select signal being selected from within the standardcommercial FM band of 88 megahertz to 108 megahertz, the microphonecomprising a key pad, the key pad for generating at least one standardtelephonic touch tone pair of frequencies.